I think it's a really good idea that pads and straps are separate. Pads, footstraps, or boots are pretty subjective so why be forced to buy what the manufacturers supplies?
+1 for the Combat 9m, my favourite kite and size too. Huge wind range.

Yeah cheaper would be good but the Switch pads looks like they're pretty good quality too. Those LF pads look totally naff - seen them in 'the flesh' and they seem very thin and the strap cheap. I hate laces too.

How are the North ones? They look pretty cheap too...

I lust after the Naish Ally pads/straps but at $200 or more each no going to happen. Specially not for 3 boards.

Literally, every time I've ever bought premium cool looking pads and straps, they were the least comfortable and worst at staying on my feet.

Looks can be deceiving.

If I had to guess, I'd say switch is charging what people are willing to pay. Normal business practice. Why give shit away for cheap when people are willing to pay market price? When I was flying switch kites I saw their parts inventory was out of stock most of the time. Which tells me they either had production problems or they priced their product too low and it sold faster then they expected.

Switch is a good value. Unfortunately their model doesn't help local businesses.

On the other side the price of the boards of other brands is much higher already with Pads and Straps, in this case the buyer always has the option to buy the board without being forced to use the Pads and Straps of our brand, always having the option to buy other brand Pads and Straps, they think more comfortable and your style taste.

On the other side the price of the boards of other brands is much higher already with Pads and Straps, in this case the buyer always has the option to buy the board without being forced to use the Pads and Straps of our brand, always having the option to buy other brand Pads and Straps, they think more comfortable and your style taste.

On the other side the price of the boards of other brands is much higher already with Pads and Straps, in this case the buyer always has the option to buy the board without being forced to use the Pads and Straps of our brand, always having the option to buy other brand Pads and Straps, they think more comfortable and your style taste.

Switch's business model was not founded on the basis of mail order customizable options at shop retail prices. It's about undercutting the competition by eliminating the middle men. ......Real has been running the low price board and retial price straps forever, Team riders can roll this turd in glitter all day, it's not gunna change how it smells to me.

The fins are a great price, bar and lines a great price, kites a great price, spare parts are AWESOME price. Board price is good(ish). Wetsuit is not far from retail but is competiting with high volume makers like oneil who have the entire watersports market to push product to so totally understandable.

Pads and straps seemed grotesquely over priced by the time they get to the retail store....I was really hoping switch would welll.....SWITCH this as they have so many other products.

Not hating on the brand, I'll probably end up buying most of my new kits from them if they keep their prices down and don't go the way of best. Just disappointed the one thing I really need now, isn't priced terribly well. @ 80 bucks, I'd order 3 pairs.